Residents cry foul over stray animals
ras al khaimah — With stray animals often seen wandering on the roads of Ras Al Khaimah, and blamed for terrible traffic accidents, people here have voiced their concerns and urged authorities to take action.
Camels walking around freely attracted some criticism from the local populace. A video of three stray camels walking on the Shamal Al Rams road to the north of RAK city went viral on social media.
The camels even started running at a busy traffic signal.
Two people, a 28-year-old Emirati man and a 32-year-old Comoros Island national, were recently killed, and a third seriously injured, after their car rammed into four stray camels — which also died on the spot.
Ahmed Jamil, a Syrian resident, said he came across some camels walking on one of the highways of the emirate, in the wrong direction. “Fortunately, this happened in daylight, and no one was driving at a high speed.
“All the bodies concerned, mainly the civic body and the department of public works and services here, need to take immediate action to put an end to this serious issue.”
The main reason behind this is that their owners do not monitor them, said Sulaiman Al Mahi, a Sudanese national. “They let their animals walk freely around the roads of the emirate.”
Stray dangers
Mahmoud Abdullah, an Emirati, said he recently escaped certain death when he was surprised by a stray camel when returning
Some owners of the repeatedly seized camels send one of their relatives each time to evade hefty fines, permanent confiscation, and prevent the animal from getting slaughtered.”
Ahmed Al Hammadi,
director-general of RAK department of public works
from work. “I luckily managed to avoid collision with the camel on the road.
“Some animal owners insist on building their makeshift farms and barns close to the main roads and highways,” said Ali Musabih, another Emirati.
“Therefore, these animals go out and cross the road in search for food, even in trash, in a way that distorts the image of the emirate.”
Munzir bin Shukr Al Zaabi, director-general of the RAK Municipality, said they try all possible means to protect road users from stray animals, particularly during periods of rain and poor visibility. “We have urged the owners to stick fluorescent retroreflective strips on their animals so that they can be easily seen from a distance and horrible accidents be prevented, but some people are careless,” Al Zaabi said.
The RAK Police have meanwhile, deployed more traffic patrols to get these stray animals off
We have urged owners to stick fluorescent retroreflective strips on their animals for visibility.” Munzir bin Shukr Al Zaabi, director-general of RAK municipality
the emirate’s roads and highways. “Drivers are urged to be attentive on the roads, and shepherds have to pay attention to their animals as well,” they said.
However, animal shepherds in the emirate blame speeding
Some animal owners insist on building their makeshift farms and barns close to the main roads and highways.” Ali Musabih, RAK resident
motorists for killing their animals. “If they observe the speed limit and drive safely, there would be no such terrible accidents which kill people and our animals,” a shepherd said.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com